Solar Panel Fitters

BrianandSue
BrianandSue Forum Participant Posts: 46
edited December 2018 in Parts & Accessories #1

We live in Leicestershire LE19,  Can anyone recommend a good Solar panel installer not too far from me. I have a Citroen Relay I converted four years ago.

Thanks Brian

Comments

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2018 #2

    You could just ring a local caravan/MH dealer and ask who they use.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited December 2018 #3

    Isn't Merve somewhere in Leicestershire? He'd be the ideal 'go to' man for info.

  • BrianandSue
    BrianandSue Forum Participant Posts: 46
    edited December 2018 #4

     Thanks guys, who,s Merve ???

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,863 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2018 #5

    What about Road Pro at Daventry which is not too far from you. 5% members discount as well.

    David

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2018 #6

    Crikes, if you converted a van fitting your own panel should be a doddle. Just buy a kit, they are easy enough to fit.

    peedee

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
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    edited December 2018 #7

    +1

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited December 2018 #8

    Depends how physically able one is. & years ago I converted our bathroom to provide a large shower, the base of which was 50% heavier than me. Built out a wall, crawled around the attic, tilled through out fitted additional stuff and re-did the toilet in the adjacent room with a fresh floor screed etc. Also dug out and concreted a new oil tank base, erected a firewall etc during a 5 week break between holidays. 

    Prior to undertaking the work that August I was suffering greatly with arthritis in spine, neck, shoulder etc and OH was saying to get a man in. I was saying no I will be fine, but I knew that I really was not able and had not been for a while. I had a remission however and got stuck in. Could I manage 8 hour days of physical work over an extended 4 week period followed by an evening barbie now? No sadly. 

     

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited December 2018 #9

    Merve Gaskill, who doesn't frequent this forum as much now. Based in Market Harborough area.  Have a browse of the "How to thrive without 240V" thread . It's a sticky at the top of the "Tips to make caravanning cheaper" section.

  • ocsid
    ocsid Forum Participant Posts: 1,395
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    edited December 2018 #10

    The latter pages of this thread brings home that not all "professional" solar system installers are created equal, some being frighteningly incompetent; 

    https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Solar-Panels-taking-flight-Disaster/50730/61/#M587710

     

    Certainly in my experience the requirement that the "adhesive" needs significant residual thickness after setting to work as intended, seems to be a feature missed by some professionals and DIYers alike.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited December 2018 #11
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited December 2018 #12

    OH fitted ours but you can look on YouTube too.

    Fitting a solar panel LINK

  • ocsid
    ocsid Forum Participant Posts: 1,395
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    edited December 2018 #13

    Those better informed note there are some glaring omissions and totally incorrect practices there, IMO far from the right way to do it "properly".

    Note or not the stressing of very carefully cleaning , degreasing and ideally priming all the contact surfaces and pushing the panel down to extrude the already minimal amount of "adhesive" used, so far from the 3 odd mm thickness of product specified by the makers I used. Then perhaps the bonding agent manufactures know less about using their products than that individual?

     https://gbr.sika.com/content/united_kingdom/sealantsandadhesives/en/index/sika-marine/Blog/how-much-sikaflex--do-i-need-.html

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited December 2018 #14

    OH used Sika Ocsid, most people who feel they can tackle these things usually do their own research. I didn't put the link up to show exactly how anyone should do it, I'm sure there are omissions, I put the link as a possible way of looking up ways to do it and there are plenty of demos out there. Other than that I'd suggest asking a dealership to install a solar panel, it might cost a bit but they are likely to be reasonably experienced.

  • ocsid
    ocsid Forum Participant Posts: 1,395
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    edited December 2018 #15

    It however shows the dangers of internet searches, this one despite being from an otherwise respected magazine, is badly flawed. IMO it is a shame it is left out there as some viewers could believe it has credit, unless they did more homework.

    Sadly whilst dealerships will undoubtedly be "reasonably experienced", that is not the same thing as being competent.

    If those intending to go the fixed panel route read the link I initially gave, they will know what to quiz the fitter about, or realise themselves what is needed to hopefully get a proper job.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited December 2018 #16

    Perhaps the OP can let us know the outcome later, I hope the fitting is successful. smile

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2018 #17

    My DIY installation has been up on the roof for at least 3 years and travelled at least 20,000 miles without incident.

     

  • BrianandSue
    BrianandSue Forum Participant Posts: 46
    edited December 2018 #18

    Thanks everyone for your info. Unfortunately New hip, waiting for new shoulder, arthritis in back etc. sort of makes me think , might not be a good idea climbing up and down on the roof of my van to fit it myself. Plus the fact my lovely wife as said "your not doing it and thats the end of that" 

    Brian

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited December 2018 #19

    Good to hear from, hope you can find someone to do the job. Solar panels are very popular now and I hope you can find a suitable installer. Best wishes for the future with your health, I quite agree, keep off that roof. wink

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
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    edited December 2018 #20

    you could always go for a folding one and move it around for full sun.